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LEARNS: Training Videos

Beyond the Right Answer: Effective Homework Help
This video is designed to help train national service members and community volunteers working with children as homework coaches. The video provides best practices for homework help program design and implementation by examining an AmeriCorps after-school program in New York City, Groundwork for Youth. Viewers gain insight into ways to train and support adults working with children, how to establish programmatic structure and routines, and useful strategies for helping children become independent and organized in completing their homework.
This video is available free of charge to programs of the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Reading for Meaning: Good Practice in Volunteer Tutoring
This 22-minute video is designed to help train volunteers working with children who struggle to read fluently. The video introduces you to Emily, a second-grader, whose lack of fluency interferes with her reading comprehension, and includes a discussion guide with suggestions and tips for using the video to train tutors. The guide elaborates on the issues Emily has with fluency and comprehension and the multiple ways the tutor works to help her overcome these challenges.
This video is available free of charge to programs of the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Built for Success: Good Practice in Volunteer Tutor Programs
This 30-minute documentary features four tutoring projects that include community and national service volunteers from National Senior Service Corps, AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps*VISTA and Learn and Serve America. Video portraits highlight characteristics of program success, identified through existing research and supported by professional wisdom from practitioners.
This video is available free of charge to programs of the Corporation for National and Community Service.

LEARNS Tutoring Videos (Compilation)
The following videos, produced by the Bank Street College of Education, have been compiled onto one DVD. Order your free copy.

  • Reading for Meaning: Good Practice in Volunteer Tutoring
    This 22-minute video is designed to help train volunteers working with children who struggle to read fluently. The video introduces you to Emily, a second grader whose lack of fluency interferes with her reading comprehension, and includes a discussion guide with suggestions and tips for using the video to train tutors. The guide elaborates on the issues Emily has with fluency and comprehension and the multiple ways the tutor works to help her overcome these challenges.
  • Lisa and Crystal: Learning to Read
    Shows the strategies that Lisa, the teacher, uses to help Crystal, a beginning reader, work on developing her reading skills. Viewers can analyze both Crystal's strengths and weaknesses and think about appropriate next steps.
  • Rosa and Melany: Reading in English
    Rosa, the teacher, reads, plays an initial consonant game, and writes with seven-year-old Melany. Viewers can observe teaching strategies that effectively support linguistically and culturally diverse children.
  • Yolene and Blayn: Reading Comprehension
    The student, Blayn, is having a reading comprehension conference with his teacher, Yolene. Viewers can think about how the conversation reflects on Blayn's understanding of the book, as well as ways to extend his thinking. Includes Blayn playing a reading comprehension game and writing about the book he reads.